The Los Angeles Rams are still in need of a backup quarterback, and Kirk Cousins has been targeted.
The Los Angeles Rams need a backup quarterback, as the team has yet to re-sign longtime veteran Jimmy Garoppolo. Though there is hope they can strike a deal with him, they are also apparently targeting Kirk Cousins.
Rams head coach Sean McVay is at the owner's meetings and has been dropping some new information. One, the team did have trade talks involving Davante Adams, and now that Cousins and his representation have been contacted.
Per Stu Jackson of therams.com, McVay indicated that the hope was for Garoppolo to return, but that the team has also contacted Cousins about being the backup for Matthew Stafford.
Cousins was finally released by the Atlanta Falcons, who signed former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to compete directly with Michael Penix for the starting role in 2026. Cousins is now free to sign with whatever team he wishes to.
Cousins has been a far more successful starter than Garoppolo, and he could also give the Rams even more of a cushion to draft their future quarterback down the line. Stafford is set to play in 2026, but beyond that still remains a mystery.
Signing and bringing Cousins aboard would give the Rams arguably the best quarterback room in the NFL and the most security if something were to happen to Stafford.
Also, the Rams could sign Cousins to a multi-year deal with the intention that he would step into the starting role when Stafford retires. That could be the presumed deal and a major reason why he agrees to sign with Los Angeles.
Then again, Cousins is also 37 years old himself and is presumably in the tail end of his own career. The Rams may not want to invest more than one year as a preventive measure for him to step in if Stafford is injured.
Either way, the Rams' contacting Cousins is very interesting and could lead the team to having a solid insurance policy and potential starter for 2027 if Stafford walks away from the game.
Bringing in Cousins would also eliminate the Rams' need to draft a quarterback in the higher rounds of the draft. ESPN's Matt Miller mocked Penn State's Drew Allar to Los Angeles in the second round, but having Cousins would ultimately lead to that not happening.
The Rams do need a young upstart to learn under Stafford and Cousins, should he join the team. However, there is said to be far more talent in the draft for 2027.
Cousins could act as the bridge option for 2027, allowing the Rams more wiggle room to evaluate and find the prospect they are fully comfortable with handing the reins to.